Display case for collectibles

Abstract

Illuminated display case for collectibles that can simulate the look and feel of a collectible's theme. The display case can be modular in design, such that one case can serve as the basis for the joining of additional case modules to form a larger illuminated display. Through the use of a specialized alignment structure, display cases can be lined up one next to the other to form a continuous track around a room.

1. A display case for collectibles comprising:
 a base structure including an elongated surface on which an item to be displayed can be placed; 
 first and second end faces formed at opposing ends of said base transverse to said elongated surface; 
 a plurality of case panels arranged for at least partially enclosing said item to be displayed, said plurality of case panels including 
 a back panel integrally formed with said base structure and extending transverse to said elongated surface along a rear edge thereof; 
 a top panel supported on an upper elongated edge of said back panel, said top panel at least partially formed of a transparent material, and extending over said elongated surface in a first direction transverse to said back panel; 
 first and second opposing side panels removably connected to the case at said opposing ends of said base structure; 
 a first channel defined by at least one track formed on a front face of said back panel; 
 at least one decorative panel having a selected design formed on at least one surface thereof, said decorative panel removably disposed in said first channel and positioned so that said selected design is facing away from said back panel, toward a front of said display case; 
 a first alignment structure disposed in said base structure at each of said first and second end faces, said first alignment structure adapted for interacting with a second alignment structure of a second case, wherein said case and said second case can be aligned to form a single extended display case; 
 a plurality of posts; and 
 a mesh material coupled to said posts to form a fence, said fence extending adjacent to said decorative panel. 
 
   
   
     2. The display case according to  claim 1 , wherein said first alignment structure is disposed beneath a portion of at least one of said first and second opposing side panels, when the first alignment structure is not in use. 
   
   
     3. The display case according to  claim 1 , wherein an end portion of each of said plurality of case panels of said case abuts an end portion of a plurality of case panels of said second case, and an end face of said case abuts an end face of said second case, when said case and said second cases are aligned. 
   
   
     4. The display case according to  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of case panels further includes a front panel opposed from said back panel, extending transversely between said top panel toward said base structure. 
   
   
     5. The display case according to  claim 4 , wherein an end portion of each said front panel, said back panel, and said top panel of said case abuts a corresponding end portion of a respective case panel of said second case when said case and said second cases are aligned. 
   
   
     6. The display case according to  claim 1 , wherein the first alignment structure and the second alignment structure each include a plurality of apertures formed in said end faces, whereby a plurality of alignment fasteners is adapted to be received by opposing apertures from abutting first and second alignment structures when said case and said second case are aligned in abutment. 
   
   
     7. The display case according to  claim 1 , wherein said display surface is banked to define a simulated track defining at least one of a road and a playing field. 
   
   
     8. The display case according to  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of light sources disposed along a length of said simulated track. 
   
   
     9. The display case according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of light sources is comprised of at least one LED. 
   
   
     10. The display case according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one electrical connector integrated within a portion of said case adjacent to said opposing ends of said plurality of case panels. 
   
   
     11. The display case according to  claim 10 , wherein said electrical connector forms a portion of said first alignment structure. 
   
   
     12. The display case according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion of each of the first and second opposing side panels is at least partially transparent. 
   
   
     13. The display case according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second channel aligned with said first channel and formed on a rear face of said back panel opposed from said front face, said second channel having a size and shape configured for receiving a bracket for attaching said case to a support surface. 
   
   
     14. A display case for collectibles comprising:
 a base structure including an elongated surface on which an item to be displayed can be placed; 
 first and second end faces formed at opposing ends of said base transverse to said elongated surface; 
 a plurality of case panels arranged for at least partially enclosing said item to be displayed, said plurality of case panels including 
 a back panel integrally formed with said base structure and extending transverse to said elongated surface along a rear edge thereof; 
 a top panel supported on an upper elongated edge of said back panel, said top panel at least partially formed of a transparent material and extending over said elongated surface in a first direction transverse to said back panel; 
 first and second opposing side panels removably connected to the case at said opposing ends of said base structure; 
 a first channel defined by at least one track formed on a front face of said back panel; 
 at least one decorative panel having a selected design formed on at least one surface thereof, said decorative panel removably disposed in said first channel and positioned so that said selected design is facing away from said back panel, toward a front of said display case; 
 a first alignment structure disposed in said base structure at each of said first and second end faces, said first alignment structure adapted for interacting with a second alignment structure of a second case, wherein said case and said second case can be aligned to form a single extended display case when abutting side panels of the case and second cases have been removed; 
 at least one electrical connector integrated within a portion of said case adjacent to said opposing ends of said plurality of case panels, the electrical connector forms a portion of said first alignment structure; 
 a plurality of posts; and 
 a mesh material coupled to said posts to form a fence, said fence extending adjacent to said decorative panel. 
 
   
   
     15. A first display case for collectibles comprising:
 a base structure including an elongated surface on which an item to be displayed can be placed, said elongated surface banked to increase in elevation from a front to a rear of said display case; 
 first and second end faces formed at opposing ends of said base transverse to said elongated surface; 
 a plurality of case panels arranged for at least partially enclosing said item to be displayed, said plurality of case panels including 
 a back panel integrally formed with said base structure and extending upwardly in a direction transverse to said elongated surface along a rear edge thereof; 
 a top panel supported on an upper elongated edge of said back panel, said top panel at least partially formed of a transparent material, and extending over said elongated surface in a first direction transverse to said back panel; 
 first and second opposing side panels removably connected to the case at said opposing ends of said base structure; 
 a plurality of alignment structures disposed in said first and second end faces, each alignment structure exclusively comprising an aperture; 
 a plurality of alignment elements removably positioned snugly within a plurality of said apertures, said plurality of alignment elements configured for interacting with a second alignment structure of a second identical display case, wherein said first and second display cases can be aligned to form a single extended display case; 
 display lighting disposed within said first display case, wherein at least one of said plurality of alignment elements further comprises electrical circuitry for coupling electric power from said first display case to said second display case; 
 a plurality of posts; and 
 a mesh material coupled to said posts to form a fence, said fence extending adjacent to said back panel so as to be visible from a front of said first display case.